The Department of Energy (DOE) is amending the current energy conservation standards for Class A external power supplies and establishing new energy conservation standards for battery chargers and non-Class A external power supplies. This rulemaking is mandated by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).

DOE published a final rule prescribing new energy conservation standards for external power supplies. 79 FR 7845 (February 10, 2014). This new standard applies to all direct operation External Power Supplies and includes, in addition to Class A power supplies previously covered by 2007 standards, power supplies that have not previously been subject to DOE regulations, such as multiple-voltage EPSs, EPSs with nameplate output power greater than 250 watts, and some EPSs that charge the battery of a product that is fully or primarily motor operated.

The Battery Charger and External Power Supply rulemaking docket number EERE-2008-BT-STD-0005 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents. For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

*After a regulatory action has been completed, Executive Order 12866 requires agencies to identify the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and to identify those changes made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA.

DOE has also conducted test procedure rulemakings for battery chargers and external power supplies. To learn more about these activities, please visit the test procedure sections of the battery chargers and external power supplies product pages.

The current energy conservation standards for battery chargers and external power supplies are mandated by Part A, the ‘‘Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles’’ of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6291–6309) These appliances are treated as covered products under Part A. (42 U.S.C. 6295(u))